Q. Is it possible to transplant chollas and wildflowers?
I live in a subdivision that will be excavating these beautiful plants to pave
streets so I was wondering if it’s possible to transplant them and if they will
survive after transplanting.
I live in a subdivision that will be excavating these beautiful plants to pave
streets so I was wondering if it’s possible to transplant them and if they will
survive after transplanting.
 |
| These “Teddy bear Cholla” can be rescued from construction sites with a little bit of advanced planning and careful management. |
A. Yes, it is possible to save many of them but it will
be a challenge and you have to know what you’re doing. Years back I worked with
a former NDOT landscape architect in preserving native plants when the road to
Searchlight was widened. They attempted to rescue valuable native plants prior
to construction by excavating and placing them into a nursery until they could
be relocated.
be a challenge and you have to know what you’re doing. Years back I worked with
a former NDOT landscape architect in preserving native plants when the road to
Searchlight was widened. They attempted to rescue valuable native plants prior
to construction by excavating and placing them into a nursery until they could
be relocated.
 |
| Smaller cacti and succulents are easier to save than the larger ones. |
Contact
your state’s Bureau of Land Management, Native Plants Program for information
about native plant rescue. Native plants are protected and permits may be
needed.
your state’s Bureau of Land Management, Native Plants Program for information
about native plant rescue. Native plants are protected and permits may be
needed.
 |
| NDOT Native Plant Rescue near Searchlight, NV |
It’s not an easy task and requires
specialized knowledge. Not all the plants will survive after being rescued. Be
prepared for that. There will be some plant mortality regardless of how careful
you are. Native plants have extensive roots that developed for survival under
extreme desert conditions of low rainfall and high temperatures.
specialized knowledge. Not all the plants will survive after being rescued. Be
prepared for that. There will be some plant mortality regardless of how careful
you are. Native plants have extensive roots that developed for survival under
extreme desert conditions of low rainfall and high temperatures.
 |
| NDOT Revegetation project near Searchlight, NV |
A local
landscape company called Trident Landscape Management has experience relocating
native plants into residential landscapes. It’s the only one in the area that
does, to my knowledge. The owner has experience and knowledge about rescuing
and using native plants from our Mojave Desert and has participated in
relocating them. I would recommend involving them so they have the best chances
for survival.
landscape company called Trident Landscape Management has experience relocating
native plants into residential landscapes. It’s the only one in the area that
does, to my knowledge. The owner has experience and knowledge about rescuing
and using native plants from our Mojave Desert and has participated in
relocating them. I would recommend involving them so they have the best chances
for survival.
 |
| Pete Duncombe and Trident Landscape Management |
Annual
wildflowers are probably best saved by collecting seed. There are a few Mojave
native woody plants and perennials available in local nurseries. The Nevada
State Division of Forestry has a nursery in Floyd Lamb State Park that
propagates and sells many native plants to the public. Consider supplementing
your landscapes with these plants if they are not available through local
nurseries.